Irena Nikolova

Irena Nikolova is an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics at New Bulgarian University (NBU), specializing in World Economy and International Economic Relations. She has held progressive academic positions at NBU since 2010, advancing from Assistant to Associate Professor. Her administrative roles include serving as Director of the Doctoral Program in Economics (2020-2023), program director for multiple bachelor's and master's programs, and Erasmus+ departmental coordinator.

Her research focuses on international finance, currency risk management, EU economic integration, and digital transformation in trade and education. She actively explores the impacts of globalization, transition economies, and emerging fintech solutions.

Her publications demonstrate sustained focus on Bulgaria's economic transformation, EU trade frameworks, and responses to global crises. Recent works emphasize digital currency risks, pandemic-related trade disruptions, and educational innovation, with consistent attention to Central European economic development.

Administrative and project experience includes:

• Leading NBU's distance learning quality improvement project (2013-2015)
• Serving as expert for the 'Economics Education Foundation' project (2013-2015)
• Erasmus+ teaching mobilities in Spain (2018) and Portugal (2017)

She teaches extensively in international economics, trade finance, and EU policies across bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs, including joint programs with the University of York and University of Urbino.